I want to quickly clear up a misconception I hear a lot—especially from people who are pressed for time. Some folks think that to burn a ton of calories, they need to do 30+ minutes of exercise. But here’s the thing: even with shorter CrossFit workouts, you can burn just as many calories (if not more!) than longer sessions.
Research backs this up. Studies have shown that shorter, high-intensity workouts (like CrossFit) can be just as effective as longer, steady cardio. In fact, a study in the Journal of Obesity showed that people doing 20-minute HIIT sessions had similar fat loss to those doing 40 minutes of regular cardio. Layne Norton, a well-known fitness coach, has also talked about how intensity beats duration—meaning that shorter, harder workouts give you the same, if not better, results.
What makes CrossFit so effective in a shorter amount of time is the intensity. We keep your heart rate up, use full-body movements, and make sure you’re pushing yourself to your limits. This creates something called the “afterburn” effect, which means your body continues burning calories even after you’re done working out.
So, whether you’re doing a 20-minute WOD or a longer one, you’re still getting a killer calorie burn and all the benefits that come with it!
If you want to talk more about your goals or how to get the most out of your workouts, why not book a No Sweat Intro? It’s a quick, 20-minute sit-down where we can chat about your fitness journey and how we can help you make the most of your time at CrossFit Tustin.
Click here to book your No Sweat Intro!
Keep crushing it,
CrossFit Tustin